Author: Jordan Mishlove

30 miles away. About half of what we are going to be riding everyday on our journey. That was the mileage we rode on our practice ride out to McDowell Mountain Regional Park last week. We figured we should test out all gear before actually hitting the road in Maine and boy, was it helpful.

Everyone can give you gear recommendations on what to bring on a cross country bike trip, but you never know what you actually need until you do a trip yourself.

We left my house around 4:00pm and headed west. The looks we got from cars and people on the streets were hysterical! We got everything from yells to honks, and for the most part, everyone kept their distance from us while we were riding.

We arrived in Fountain Hills, about 20 miles into our trip and had our first grocery store visit. Carbs carbs carbs -that’s what everyone tells us. So that’s what we did. We bought a big loaf of bread, pita chips, roast beef sandwich meat, bananas, cheese and 2 snickers. It was getting close to sunset so we set off to finish the last 10 miles.

These last 10 miles were the hardest. It was hill after hill but at least we knew it was going to be smooth sailing the next morning. We made it to Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park at dusk, and when we entered, the sign read, “TENT CAMPING- 5 Miles.” No way would we make it another 5 miles with the amount of daylight left. So we just decided to camp at the beginning of the park right next to a BMX track.

We set up camp, taking off all of our gear. By the end, it was pitch black so we used our headlights for the first time. Setting up camp went pretty smoothly. Then we headed into dinner. We ate super quickly because we were starving.

Sleeping out in the middle of the desert was probably one of the coolest places I’ve ever camped. We heard coyotes, owls and javelina all throughout the night.

In the morning we woke up with the sun and set off. We made a quick stop to grab some food but soon after, sailed home.

I’m so glad we were able to fit in one quick trip before embarking on our big trip.

We are only a month out of the start of our ride, and in the past couple months we couldn’t be more thankful for all the support. People are intrigued by what we are doing and why we are doing it. Every time we get the chance to speak about our journey, it triggers new ideas that will benefit our trip.

Within the past 2 weeks Joe was interviewed for the Daily Wildcat, which then led to him being on the cover of the newspaper the next day. The article received an immense amount of publicity and was even re-tweeted by the Pac-12 Network.

Jordan has also been interviewed by the Daily Aztec, which has led him to be interviewed on other student projects. We both can tell there is curiosity floating around our campuses because our trip is an unusual one.

Outdoor Outreach, the non-profit we are riding for, along with Bookmans Sports Exchange in Tucson, have also written pieces about our journey. We are extremely thankful for all the support we have received so far and as the departure date gets closer and closer, our anticipation and drive to experience the unknown only grows.

Below are some of the articles that have been written about us, hope you enjoy!

Every night I try and wrap my head around the fact that Joe and I are taking the world by storm, riding our bikes from an equivalent distance between New York and Paris…

All in the span of 4 measly months. And sure,

I’m scared for what’s to come.

But I’m overwhelmed with an immediate adrenaline rush every single time I think about going the distance and finishing something I set out to do.

I don’t know where I’m going to sleep. I don’t know what I’m going to wear. I don’t know who I’m going to meet. What I do know, however, is that I’m going to pass this test.

My name is Jordan Mishlove, and I accept this challenge. I’ve always been the type of guy that likes to think outside the box, progress forward and lean into my edges.

I am going to conquer this route with my best friend of 15 years, Joe Previte. Joe is just like me, except with better hair.

Joe and I will set out on our Journey from Acadia National Park in Maine, heading in the direction of Washington, finishing in Phoenix, where we grew up.

Along the way we are passing through desolate deserts, flourishing forests, and mountains 5 times taller than the Empire State Building.

We live and breathe experiencing the outdoors, which is why we have decided to raise money for others to experience it as well.

We are riding for Outdoor Outreach, a San Diego based non-profit that gives underprivileged kids an opportunity to hike, snowboard and surf. All activities that have sculpted me into the person I am today.

Our project has picked up speed, and there is no turning back now. We feed off of each other’s energy. We constantly push each other past our breaking point.

Because whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually, our body and mind needs to be ready for the road ahead.

Because that’s the point, isn’t it?

To continue to progress. Which is why we set out on this Journey.

To grow.

To inspire.

To do more, to BE more.

To prove to myself that I am capable of greater things and to transform into the strongest version of myself. I have never been so passionate and motivated to accomplish something in my entire life.

No matter what happens on the road, Joe and I will make a difference. We will make a difference, in the eyes of others and in the eyes of ourselves. We will educate, we will discover and we will eat our way through the great United States of America.